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Entree dish

Edward Lownes (American, 1792–1834)
about 1820–30
Object Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Medium/Technique Silver
Dimensions Overall: 19.1 x 36 x 26 cm (7 1/2 x 14 3/16 x 10 1/4 in.)
Credit Line Anonymous gift
Accession Number1994.33a-c
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
Although not uncommon in English silver and fused plate, large serving dishes such as this by Edward Lownes of Philadelphia are rare in American silver. It is an excellent example of the form, massive and weighty, with milled gadrooned borders and rocaille ornament at the corners. As is customary, the loop handle is removable, and the cover can be inverted to form a matching, smaller dish.

This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.

DescriptionThis large rectangular dish has a milled gadrooned border, with floral and C-scroll decoration at each corner. The removable lid has a loop handle of two conjoined cornucopiae sheathed in leaves. It swivels to unlock and detach, converting the lid into a smaller, matching dish, decorated en suite.
Marks "E. LOWNES" in a rectangle struck four times on underside of bottom
Inscriptions"A / TESTIMONY of AFFECTION / from / Charles Francis / to his Sister / Sophia Harrison" within a wreath engraved on side. "GSH" engraved on side of lid.
ProvenanceGiven by Charles Francis to his sister Sophia Francis Harrison, probably on the occasion of her marriage to George Harrison. It descended to Sophia’s sister Mary Francis Fisher and her husband, Joshua Fisher; to their son Joshua Francis Fisher and his wife, Eliza Middleton Fisher; then through the family to the parents of the donor and to the anonymous donor in 1963.